MORE than 700 new homes could soon be built near the M5 in Bridgwater if plans are approved later in the year.

The land east of Bower Lane and Dunwear Lane is identified for future housing growth within Sedgemoor District Council’s Local Plan, which runs until 2032.

Countryside Partnerships is currently delivering a development of 260 homes on the north side of the A372 Westonzoyland Road (on what has been dubbed the Strawberry Grange site), with the council’s development committee approving plans in February for a further 530 homes on the southern side of the same road.

Following an initial tease in October 2022, Edward Ware (Bridgwater) Ltd. has now submitted detailed plans for the remaining land, envisioning 750 new homes, a primary school and a community facility between the Polden Bower School and the Strawberry Grange site.

The council’s Local Plan identifies the land between the M5 and the existing homes (known collectively as ‘East Bridgwater’) to provide “around 1,200” homes (including affordable housing), a primary, a “neighbourhood centre” with community shops and facilities, and a spine road to connect the new homes to the local road network.

If approved, these plans would see land allocated near to the Bower Inn for a new primary school, whose construction would be funded by a mixture of external borrowing and contributions from local developments.

The plans would see housing delivered in three phases, starting from the northern end, as well as the completion of a spine road linking the A39 Bath Road to a new roundabout on the A372, which is currently under construction.

Bower Lane will be largely closed off to traffic, providing a green corridor for pedestrians and cyclists and improving existing connections to the Whitfield Road play area.

Bridgwater Mercury: How the spine road could look within the Bower Lane development.How the spine road could look within the Bower Lane development. (Image: Thrive Architects)

A spokesman for the developer said: “Bridgwater is equidistant between Exeter and Bristol, and development at this strategic location on the M5 motorway will demonstrate and showcase that Bridgwater is a growing and ambitious town.

“The site adjoins residential areas known as Bower and Sydenham, both of which have distinctive layout arrangements that are of their times.

“This will have its own distinctive design and a layout that reflects its specific position within the town.

“This new neighbourhood will have an identity specific to its position and will aim to create a sustainable, accessible and attractive high-quality development.”

NHS Somerset has stated that it will not currently require any financial contributions towards additional services from this development – but said it would monitor the situation as more homes from this part of Bridgwater came forward.

Mia Smith, writing on behalf of the Somerset Integrated Care Board, said: “The GP surgeries within the catchment area which this application would affect currently have sufficient infrastructure capacity to absorb the population increase that this potential development would generate.

“Should there be any change in this position as a result of any current planning applications that may or may not affect the capacity of Cranleigh Gardens Medical Centre, East Quay Medical Centre, Redgate Medical Centre and Taunton Road Medical Centre, then the NHS position could change.

“Therefore, while at this time there would be no need for a Section 106 contribution towards NHS primary care from this development, we would advise that the estimated sum of £580 per dwelling towards NHS primary care is factored into any viability assessments.”

The new unitary Somerset Council – which takes control on April 1  – will make a decision on these plans before the end of the year.